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Crawford Lake Conservation Area

3.9 (15 reviews)

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Jocelyn C.

Wish I found out about this conservation area sooner! I took my kids for a hike during Covid (Nov 2020) and you are required to reserve a 2-hour timeslot. There is a porta potty right by the entrance and 2 separate parking lots. There are these log houses right by the entrance that don't look like much from the outside, but they are completely modernized once you go in, with masks on, of course. There are displays and videos, and further back, you'll find some wooden racks, pottery, animal hides, kind of like how the native people would've used the log houses back then. I'm told that last fall/winter, a bon fire would be set up and you can enjoy hot chocolate outside. With a bunch of little kids in tow, we went on the boardwalk trail that wraps around the lake. Along the clean path are wooden sculptures, perfect for photo ops. Because of Covid, the boardwalk is uni-directional as it is quite narrow. Every one was courteous and would love a large space when we're passing each other. I would definitely go back to Crawford Lake and go on their other trails.

Wynne L.

I thought we were just going for a nice walk but it turns out that there's an educational aspect to visiting as well. There's a 15th century Iroquoian Village that has been reconstructed with videos and information inside. The day we went actually had a school group there as well. The walk around the lake didn't take long. I didn't even realize we had reached the starting point again until I recognized one of the statues. There's other trails that lead off from the lake but we only had time for the one on that day. I'd like to go back and explore some more.

Teena D.

My husband and I went snowshoeing at the Crawford Lake Conservation Area this afternoon (about 45 minutes west of Toronto). We started on the Snowshoe Trail (3.4km - 1 hour 30 minutes - This trail has been designed with snowshoers in mind. Enjoy the beauty of winter as you wind your way through field and forest). Then we did the Escarpment Trail (2.4 km - 1 hour - This natural trail winds through rocky woodlands and along the brow of the Niagara Escarpment. A highlight is the lookout where interpretive cairns and resting benches are located). The first part is definitely a natural trail as it is almost non-existent and we were climbing over logs and rocks. The second half is a well-traveled trail. What a fun day! We were snowshoeing for 2.5 hours! No doubt we'll sleep well tonight.

Cheryl K.

This is beautiful park for a nice walk. Some interesting exhibits, scenery and trails. It can get busy and crowded during nice weather. During COVID time, you would need to reserve a time slot for your visit. Trails are easy with minimal incline or stairs. On one visit, we were able to see a large turtle in the lake. They also have exhibits providing some history and details of this destination. There are also some elaborate carved sculptures on the trail.

Introduction at the Wendat village
Min Min I.

Touristy but a great stop for my family on a Sunday afternoon. This is one of 7 Halton parks in the area. You pay one day rate of ~$7/adult and can access all the parks for that day. As you walk up from the gravel parking lot, you can see a model Wendat/Huron village at the top of the hill. Archeologists found many artifacts and the University of Toronto was involved with researching the history of First Nations people who lived here. We wandered around the model Wendat/Huron village for an hour and enjoyed the descriptions and explanations. Some of the longhouses are beautifully renovated and are structured as a traditional museum, with pot lights, printed displays and a fancy interior. Other longhouses are dark, have an uneven dirt floor, hung with furs and dried corn, to mimic what a longhouse would have felt like. Staff float around and help give talks and explanations. The biggest thing that was missing was the smell of fire smoke and leather! The exhibit is good for an hour walk and is a good learning opportunity. The visitor centre adjacent to the village has a small theatre where you can watch a video about this site. There are washrooms downstairs, as well as a room for school groups. The gift shop on the main floor, however, only serves a reminder that there isn't much actual native involvement on the monetary side of things here. While some of the displays in the longhouse exhibits are actually produced by native artists and writers - I actually read poems and saw pottery produced by actual First Nations people - the gift shop still needs to be seriously updated. TRAILS: Only checked out a short trail towards the lake, but there are stunning wood carvings every hundred meters. Lots of maps around to help guide you, as well as the blue stripes that indicate you are crossing sections of the famous Bruce Trail.

Butterfly carving near the trailhead
bob t.

Once was enough. The reconstructed Iroquois village is somewhat interesting at best. You could realistically see it all in as little as 10 mins. It's probably exactly as you imagine. You can walk inside the buildings, one of which is modern and has nicer displays and a documentary playing. The trails are okay at best. I think I got spoiled by Mount Nemo and Rattlesnake Point. Don't know what the big deal is about the lake. Aesthetically-wise it's a pretty normal lake. The boardwalk is okay. When I went in December 2016 there was no attendant at the gate. Instead, they have a box of little envelopes. You're supposed to take one, rip off half to place your entry fee into which then goes into another box - the other half you leave on your car dash. Well I didn't have exact change so I wasn't sure what to do. Poor system. Definitely won't be returning.

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Review Highlights - Crawford Lake Conservation Area

Because of Covid, the boardwalk is uni-directional as it is quite narrow.

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Kelso Conservation Area

Kelso Conservation Area

3.6(18 reviews)
4.4 km

Close beach to the West of Oakville- nice for a day get away that is not too far. Great for small…read morechildren at the beach- as it is not huge.

Visited Kelso for the fall chairlift ride. Visited weekend of October 14-15, the trees were still…read morefairly green. We paid online for the ticket, which is about $2 cheaper vs in person. However, you still have to go pick up physical copy of the ticket from the booth. Once you arrive, they will also request you pay for the park entrance $10/person. As soon as you enter, if you park at the first parking lot (located to the right) this is closest to the course challenge area, plenty of picnic area, washrooms as well. If you continue to drive ahead, there is another parking which is very close to the chairlift area. Pick up your ticket and get in line. Along the way, there's options for food & drinks. There's seating area with a bonfire. The chairlift ride itself was only 10 mins or less. Once up there, go exploring a, following a route for a hike, the further you drift away the less people you see but be careful! Keep children close, there are plenty of area which are steep cliffs. It can be very dangerous. There are signs all around which was good to see. The hike was so peaceful, amongst the trees, It's maintained well. We did often feel like we may be lost so stay vigilant, the area is large. The last ride up was 5pm which means they stay ensuring everyone is getting back down. we waited in line for about 15-20 mins. Staff was wonderful, they were cheerful, answered all of our questions. Tips: don't loose your ticket, you need it to go back down. Wear proper gear, it was cold!

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Kelso Conservation Area
Kelso Conservation Area
Kelso Conservation Area

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Crawford Lake Conservation Area - parks - Updated May 2026

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